Projects Officer

Location: Currently hybrid working in our West London office

Contract: Permanent

Pattern: Full time (standard hours 9am - 5:30pm)

We are looking for a highly organised and proactive individual to join the Projects team, which plays a central role in the strategic growth of the Ark network. The team identifies new schools, manages their opening as Ark schools, and leads major capital projects, working closely with internal colleagues and external stakeholders including local authorities and the Department for Education.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Projects team, including raising finance purchase orders and submitting invoices using the Concur system
• Organise, manage, review and regularly update all team and project documentation, including data collection and input, reviewing and editing team policies and guidance
• Locate, analyse, and summarise complex data sets, and use analysis to create reports and presentations for different audiences as needed
• Work collaboratively across Projects and broader team members to deliver effective project reporting

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Strong administration skills and the ability to maintain and implement effective systems
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Knowledge of the education sector (desirable)
• Experience of data entry and data checking

Qualification Criteria

• Qualified to A-level or equivalent
• Qualified to degree level (desirable)
• Right to work in the UK

Benefits

• Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days.
• In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad.
• Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3 years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part-time employees and excludes bank holidays.
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform.
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.

About Us

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools reaches traditionally underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and have nearly 3,000 teaching staff across our network.

Diversity and inclusion

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.